🇳🇴 Norway

Solbakken typically deploys a 4-3-3 with Ødegaard as the advanced central midfielder, Sander Berge providing defensive cover behind him, and Patrick Berg completing the trio. Julian Ryerson and Marcus Pedersen push forward as attacking full-backs to create width, freeing Haaland to operate centrally. The shape collapses into a compact 4-5-1 without the ball, with the team looking to win possession and release Haaland in behind with one or two passes.

The focal point of everything Norway do is Erling Haaland, whose movement in behind and ruthless finishing for Manchester City make him the most feared centre-forward at the tournament. Martin Ødegaard pulls the strings from Arsenal's number-eight role, dictating tempo with his quick passing and intelligent positioning. Alexander Sørloth offers a powerful physical alternative up front, having scored prolifically for Atlético Madrid, giving Stale Solbakken a genuine two-striker threat.

Haaland's finishing is a structural advantage that no defensive plan fully neutralises. Ødegaard's ability to find pockets between the lines and play incisive through-balls gives Norway a creative quality that belies their direct style. Berge's physicality and range of passing from deep provides genuine midfield control.

Beyond Haaland and Ødegaard, the squad lacks consistent Champions League-level quality — Kristian Thorstvedt is at relegated Sassuolo, and Morten Thorsby at Cremonese. The centre-back pairing of Leo Østigård and Kristoffer Ajer has been error-prone at club level, and if Haaland is marked out of a game, Norway have no obvious alternative creative mechanism.